Fresh from the bunkers
New underground market sells fresh vegetables and fruits in Chongqing
What is it like to buy and sell produce in the underground bunkers? Around 6 am, farmers take Line 4, transfer to Line 10 and arrive at the underground bunker market near the Hongtudi Metro Station. The market currently operates once a week, opening on Saturday mornings from 8 am to 11 am.
As soon as the market opens, it bustles with activity.
Farmers arrange their freshly grown vegetables, including green beans, leeks, chile peppers and fresh corn on stands, and are greeted by eager early shoppers. Calls, bargaining, laughter — it's a symphony of daily life filling the air.
Unlike traditional open-air markets, the underground bunker market offers shelter for the farmers, providing a cool refuge in summer and warmth in winter.
It not only serves as a sanctuary for the farmers but also acts as a new urban landmark, inviting more citizens to visit and choose their produce.
"Rain or shine, I'm not afraid," a farmer said. "We'll come here every time; this place is just perfect!"
Many residents travel from other districts to shop here, finding the produce not only cheaper than supermarkets but also greener and fresher.
